ANA President Barry Stuppler, who chaired the Executive Director Search Committee, said Shepherd was their unanimous choice. “Larry stood out among an extremely well-qualified pool of 37 applicants,” Stuppler said. “We had a number of extraordinary candidates, and we’re obviously very pleased with the results of this search.”

Shepherd is worked as an executive in the financial industry before opening Simco Numismatics in 1989. He started collecting at the age of 10 by collecting Mercury Dimes from circulation and became the first living collector to have a commemorative set pedigreed by Professional Coin Grading Service.

Shepherd will replace acting Executive Director Ken Hallenbeck who was ask to serve following the dismissal of Christopher Cipoletti. Another report noted that no start date was set. It was speculated that the final contract details had to be worked out. In that report, Hallenbeck was quoted as saying he was “greatly relieved. I’ve done my duty, now I can hopefully relax and get out of the way.”

The ANA Board of Governors has done an admirable job since taking office last August amidst rancor amongst the membership. They should be commended for having the courage to change the Executive Director and to vet candidates to find someone who they can unanimously support. As a proud ANA Member and the president of an ANA member club, I wish Mr. Shepherd the best and I hope he can help the Board bring integrity back to the ANA.